East Bengal has requested the Durand Cup organisers to explore if their Durand Cup opening match, the August 16 Derby fixture against ATK Mohun Bagan, could be postponed to a later date.
East Bengal will sign an agreement with its investorEmami Group on August 2 and are way behind their rivals in terms of team-building.
A defeat at the hands of their perennial foes will be the last thing an under-prepared EastBengal would want in the first match of the season.
“Yes, they have requested the organisers and it could be granted. The Derby could be postponed by a few days,” someone in the know of things said.
“They hardly have a team at this point in time. How can they start a tournament like Durand Cup with a match against ATK Mohun Bagan? It’s the right thing to ask for a postponement. Do you think the fans will spare them if the result is bad?” he added.
East Bengal are placed in Group B along with ATKMohun Bagan, Mumbai CityFC, Rajasthan United FC and Indian Navy. Head coach Stephen Constantine is expected to reach the city in early August.
Jhingan leaves
ATK Mohun Bagan haveparted ways with defenderSandesh Jhingan, the clubhas announced. Jhingan had rejoined the club in January after an injury-ridden stint with Croatia’s HNK Sibenik, but failed to impress coach Juan Ferrando.
That Jhinghan’s future in the green and maroon jersey looked bleak was reported by The Telegraph on June 24. Jhingan could be seen in an East Bengal shirt though talks are in the early stages.ATK Mohun Bagan are also releasing goalkeeper AmrinderSingh and defender Ashutosh Mehta. Singh is deemed to be a surplus after Vishal Kaith was signed.
AIFF hearing
The Supreme Court has said it will first deal with the issue of holding elections to the All India Football Federation to ensure that a democratically elected body is in place well ahead of the under-17 Women’sWorld Cup. A bench of justice DY Chandrachud and justice Surya Kant said it will hear on August 3 the modalities for holding the elections. The final draft constitution, prepared by the Committee of Administrators, has already been submitted to it for approval.
With inputs from PTI
